Faculty Focus: Debjani Sihi

Debjani Sihi joined PMB in the fall of 2024 as an Assistant Professor. She is part of the CALS AI cluster, and her research program focuses on the plant-soil-microbe-atmosphere continuum. We caught up with Sihi to talk about her work and her path to CALS!

Could you tell us a little about your background before coming to NC State? 

I joined the CALS AI cluster (plant science position) in the fall of 2024. I am affiliated with the Department of Plant and Microbial Biology and the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences. Originally from India, where I completed my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Agriculture and Environmental Sciences. Then, I came to the US for higher studies and joined the Department of Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences at the University of Florida back in 2011. Following that, I held postdoctoral appointments at the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Sciences (Appalachian Laboratory) and Oak Ridge National Laboratory. For the last 4 years, I was a faculty member in the Department of Environmental Sciences at Emory University in Atlanta, GA before joining NC State. 

What does your research focus on, and what got you interested in this? 

I am a biogeochemist by training and I work at the interface of plants, soils, microbes, and the environment. My research program involves both empirical and computational approaches. I integrate experimental and observational data collected at multiple scales (lab, plot, field, landscape, regional, and global) with machine learning (AI) and process-based (mechanistic) models. I am particularly interested in improving our understanding of soil (and ecosystem) carbon (and nutrient) cycle processes and greenhouse gas emissions from managed (agricultural) and natural (forest, wetland, grassland) ecosystems. My research program is housed in the Plant Sciences Building, and as part of the N.C. Plant Sciences Initiative, I will build an interdisciplinary program that leverages cutting-edge technologies across scales (e.g., sensors, imaging, molecular technologies) to address grand challenges of our era (climate change, food security, and environmental sustainability) using big data analytics approaches. 

What are you most excited about with your new appointment here?

I am excited about my new appointment for several reasons. NC State is a great school, and the support available from my colleagues and leaders from my departments, CALS, and beyond, are unparallel to other academic institutions in my opinion. I am thrilled to join the N.C. Plant Sciences Initiative, which promotes interdisciplinary programs and team-based research, which has been super-helpful to extend my horizon already. I have been doing curiosity-driven fundamental research on issues  like climate change, soil carbon cycle, and greenhouse gas emissions, and I can apply these fundamental research to address issues in regional and global agricultural systems. Additionally, the CALS AI cluster will further give me opportunities to connect with future colleagues in my cluster and beyond to address agricultural issues from an integrated lens of plants, animals, environment, and broader agricultural community. Finally, this position helped me solve our two-body problem, which is very common in academia and similar fields. Together, I am looking forward to building new connections, nurturing my old network, and enjoying doing science on the topics I care most about.    

Any fun facts/ hobbies you would like to share? 

I love hiking, biking, and landscape photography. I love to explore new areas, especially national and state parks, forests/mountains in the middle of nowhere, and just relax and enjoy some time away from our busy schedules. My partner in life and crime (Biswanath Dari) and I also love to explore new towns, local food, and meet new friends when possible.  

Welcome to PMB Debjani!